Chapter 8: Enduring Pain to Let Go

Zeng Yi was clearly taken aback; Feng Yuqin had never mentioned this before. How did he end up becoming an expert so easily? He hurriedly declined, "This isn't good, this isn't good. I'm young and lack experience, I'm afraid..."

"I say you can, then you can!" Feng Yuqin interrupted Zeng Yi with an unyielding tone, "What's wrong with being young? What's wrong with lacking experience? If we only considered these, we might as well set up the expert group in a nursing home!"

"Right, right!" Zhang Renjie nodded repeatedly, "Director Feng has a keen eye. In terms of medical skills, I doubt there are many in our Nanjiang Province who can surpass Dr. Zeng. Joining the expert group, you are more than qualified. Dr. Zeng, don't decline. This is all out of Director Feng's care for you, don't let her down."

Zeng Yi still wanted to decline, but seeing Shao Haibo shaking his head at him, he had to hold back, "I'm just afraid I won't do well."

"Whether you can do well or not, you won't know until you try!" Feng Yuqin said from her bed, "This is settled. You'll report in tomorrow."

Zhang Renjie envied the intern deeply. There were hundreds of experts in the provincial hospital, but only a handful were selected for the expert group. Even Zhang Renjie, the hospital director, had not been chosen.

Zeng Yi could only accept it, "Thank you, Director Feng!"

"You cured my illness, I haven't even thanked you yet. In the future, don't be so formal. Call me Aunt Feng or just Auntie!" Feng Yuqin's tone was half scolding, half affectionate.

Aunt... Feng?

Zhang Renjie felt as if a bomb had exploded in his head. Feng Yuqin was known for her strictness and lack of smiles, a famous "Iron Lady" in the health system. It was rare to see her smile, let alone speak with such warmth. This was definitely a first!

Zhang Renjie had not experienced Feng Yuqin's pain, so he couldn't understand her current mood. The relief from long-term illness felt like a rebirth. Everything looked fresh and the sky seemed bluer. Feng Yuqin now found everything about Zeng Yi appealing, especially his honest and sincere smile, which made her feel comfortable all over.

He had originally planned to report that Zeng Yi should be a key focus for the provincial hospital, but now he couldn't say that. Zhang Renjie congratulated him a few times and then, with Shao Haibo, began the daily routine check-up.

In just one night, Feng Yuqin's condition had drastically improved. The diarrhea had stopped, the fever had subsided, and all vital signs were normal. Zhang Renjie finally confirmed that the stubborn illness, which had stumped many experts, had been cured by this intern's single dose of traditional Chinese medicine.

The only issue now was the wrong incision, which Zhang Renjie was very clear about and wouldn't bring up. He smiled, "Director Feng, your recovery is excellent. With a few more days of rest, you'll be fully recovered."

Feng Yuqin didn't give Zhang Renjie a good face. She reverted to her "Iron Lady" persona. From the first day she was admitted, he had been saying the same thing, but what was the result?

She ignored Zhang Renjie and said to Zeng Yi, "Little Zeng, you must be tired from staying up all night. Since there's no major issue now, go rest."

"If anything happens, have someone call me. I'll be in the hospital," Zeng Yi said, feeling quite tired. "One more dose of the medicine should be enough. Also, avoid cold and raw foods; stick to easily digestible ones."

Zhang Renjie immediately responded, "I'll have the hospital's nutritionist draw up a plan."

The three of them walked out of the VIP room. Shao Haibo said, "Xiao Yi, I have a steel bed in my office. You can sleep there for now."

Zhang Renjie shook his head, "How can you sleep well there? Come to my place; it's quiet and comfortable. If Director Feng needs anything, I can notify you immediately." He grabbed Zeng Yi's arm, full of enthusiasm, "Come, come, let's go to my place."

"Director Zhang, that's not right, I don't want to disturb you," Zeng Yi hurriedly declined.

"All for the sake of serving our leaders, how can it be a disturbance!" Zhang Renjie glared, pulling Zeng Yi along, "Haibo, I'm 'borrowing' your precious junior. Don't be too reluctant."

Shao Haibo waved his hands, "How could I be? Not at all!"

"Alright, get back to work. The gastroenterology department needs you," Zhang Renjie said.

Shao Haibo was overjoyed. Zhang Renjie's words were clear: his position as head of the gastroenterology department was secure. He expressed his loyalty to Zhang Renjie and returned to the gastroenterology department with renewed spirit.

On the way, every doctor and nurse who saw Shao Haibo congratulated him. Some even came from other departments to chat:

"Director Shao, I heard your junior is going to work at the Health Department?"

"Having connections in the government is good for your career, Director Shao. Your future is bright."

"Director Shao, don't forget us old colleagues. We've always supported you."

Shao Haibo smiled, but he was puzzled. When Feng Yuqin mentioned it, there were no outsiders in the room. How did the whole hospital know so quickly? The power of rumors was evident.

In the director's office, Zeng Yi was impressed. It was no less luxurious than the VIP room.

"Would you like something to drink? Milk, perhaps? It helps with sleep," Zhang Renjie said without waiting for Zeng Yi's response. He called his secretary, "Bring a cup of hot milk." Then he looked at Zeng Yi, "The conditions are a bit simple, but please don't mind."

"How could I, how could I? I'm really troubling you!" Zeng Yi said politely, but he was amazed. This was considered simple? The large office, over 70 square meters, was used by one person. A door next to the bookshelf was open, revealing a luxurious bedroom with a large bed.

Zhang Renjie gestured for Zeng Yi to sit on the sofa and said regretfully, "I wanted to keep such a talented person in our provincial hospital, but Director Feng had other plans. I had to let you go with a heavy heart."

Zeng Yi smiled, not knowing what to say. On his first day in Rongcheng, everything had gone off track. He had only planned to make a quick visit, but ended up causing a big trouble for his senior and joining an expert group.

Now, he couldn't back out. The wife of the provincial party secretary had personally chosen him. If he ran away, many people would suffer.

"The expert group at the Health Department is full of talent, with high standards and a bright future. I wouldn't want to delay your prospects!" Zhang Renjie laughed, "But I have one request: consider our provincial hospital your home. Even though you were only an intern for a day, you are still one of us!"

Zeng Yi nodded with a smile, "Yes, Director Zhang."

The secretary soon brought the milk. After Zeng Yi finished, Zhang Renjie stopped talking, "Rest well. A good rest will help you work better."

He closed the bedroom door and sat in his chair, worried. In the VIP room, he noticed that Director Feng always spoke kindly to Zeng Yi, but her face darkened whenever he spoke.

This was not good. It seemed Director Feng had a deep misunderstanding of him. Zhang Renjie was very uneasy. He needed to take immediate action to change her impression of him, or the consequences would be dire.

He glanced at the bedroom door and spat, "Damn, you're just a little intern, and you're riding on my neck. If it weren't for Director Feng, I wouldn't be so accommodating."

Downstairs, a little boy jumped out of a luxury off-road military vehicle and pointed at the outpatient building, "Xin'er, come down and count how many floors this building has!"

The little girl reluctantly climbed out of the car, pouting, "Can we not go in? I don't like hospitals."

The little boy immediately said, "Don't be afraid, they won't bully you!" He pulled out a lollipop from somewhere, "I brought a dog-beating stick!"

The young woman picked up the little girl and comforted her, "Xin'er, be good. You're sick, so we need to come to the hospital. After the doctor sees you, you'll get better and won't have to come back."

The little girl's spirits sank, her head drooping on her mother's shoulder, looking pitifully at her grandfather.

Unfortunately, her grandfather, who usually doted on her, didn't speak up for her. He took her little brother's hand, and the four of them entered the outpatient building.

In the pediatric clinic, test results were brought in one by one. The expert from the 901 Hospital in Beijing carefully reviewed them and said, "It's nothing serious, just mild malnutrition. Her digestive function is weak. Taking some digestive aids should improve her condition."

The young woman was still doubtful, "She always vomits after eating."

"It's likely psychogenic vomiting!" The expert wrote his diagnosis in the medical record, "TV shows about dieting can create negative psychological suggestions in children. This is quite common. Limit her TV time and provide proper guidance. It will take time, so parents need to be patient."

The young woman felt reassured by this explanation. It made sense.

The old man behind her suddenly asked, "Can you also check my grandson?"

"He's very healthy, all indicators are normal!" The expert looked at the little boy playing with his lollipop, "Avoid giving him too many lollipops. They are full of artificial colors and additives, which are bad for children's development."

Leaving the pediatric clinic, the young woman said to the old man, "Dad, the wife of Secretary Fang from the Provincial Committee is hospitalized here. We should visit her."

The old man nodded, "Yes, go ahead. Greet her on my behalf and tell her I wish her a quick recovery. I'll wait with the children downstairs."

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End of Chapter 8